THE FARM, AND OUR FOOD SUPPLIES 147 



2. Explain how it is possible to ship and market in good 

 condition such perishable fruits as (a) bananas ; (6) berries. 

 Name conditions that must be observed by shippers and 

 fruit dealers generally so that a ready market shall be found 

 for their fruit. Compare the keeping qualities of the orange 

 and of other fruits in market. Account for any differences. 



3. If we accept the definition that a fruit is the ripened 

 product of plant growth bearing the seeds of that plant, 

 what so-called vegetables come into the list of fruits? Of 

 what use are the seeds produced by plants ? Describe ways 

 in which various plants secure the dispersion of their seeds. 

 What is true with regard to seeds in the banana, and in some 

 oranges? Describe the propagation of these fruits. Make 

 a list of a half dozen plants that could be propagated without 

 seed production by them, and state how this might be accom- 

 plished. What would be true of plants generally if no seeds 

 were to be grown for several seasons in succession? What 

 effect on mankind would failure of plants to produce seeds 

 have ? Give some examples to show this. 



4. Fresh apples when cut and exposed to the air soon turn 

 brown. Why are evaporated apples so white? What is 

 true of the relative degree of preservation of the flavor of 

 apples when dried and when canned ? About what per cent 

 of an apple is water? Account for the shriveling of apples 

 kept in a warm basement. 



5. About what should be the age and size of trees to set 

 out for an apple orchard? What is the cost of standard 

 varieties of such trees at the nearest reliable nursery ? How 

 many years before apple trees are likely to bear fruit ? 



